Category: Special Post

This time on Ron’s Amazing Stories – The Blog, we are going to talk a bit about the podcast. Today, as I write this, marks a birthday of a sort. On April 19, 2011, I published my very first podcast. That was seven years ago. I remember thinking, Who in the world was going to listen to this? I had no idea how to promote it, it did not sound all that great, and the content was ninety percent old time radio. [You can listen to that podcast here]

I did have some ideas as to what I wanted to accomplish. I was just starting out as a freelance editor and it was my hope to interview and connect with authors. These were lofty goals and I had no idea on how to complete them or measure my success. In those days there were no stats to speak off, at least at my host provider, all I had to go on was bandwidth usage. When I reached too many downloads I would get a nasty message. (So I was told, I never actually got that message). But, I could go in look at percent used. Early on it was disheartening, to say the least.

I knew that I had to score a big interview to at least generate some interest, so I set my sights on Greg Bell host of the radio show, “When Radio Was”. After a couple of months, I finally got that interview and things vastly improved. Greg helped with that by promoting it on XM/Sirius Satellite radio. [You can listen to RAS012 here] The numbers improved, but I was still in no danger of hitting that bandwidth usage goal.

In the end, it was persistence and not giving up that finally made the difference. Also, improving my knowledge, learning new skills and the art of self-promotion. I remember the week I broke 1000 downloads for a single podcast. It was like the world was finally listening to me and I had a voice. Granted my podcast is all about stories, but when you break it down we as humans are all storytellers. Today the podcast averages between 6 to 10 thousand downloads and I am on the radio in nine cities. I would say to myself, “Not Too Bad!”

This Week’s Podcast:

On the podcast this week we are doing a “Throwback Thursday” birthday edition of the show. It is going to contain only stories submitted by you guys. Of course, we can’t have a podcast without a Five Minute Mystery. I think it would break the internet if we did. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Sunday Night at 8:00 PM (PST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

Ron walking around the park in March. Yes, it does snow here in Vancouver.

I like taking a walk around the local park. I do this every day and every day new thoughts occur to me. Sometimes it is about what I can do for my next show, other times I worry about life issues. I put in a lot of time making these podcasts. I want to do them right and at the same time remember that I have a job to do. I have made it no secret that I would love to do this full time, but the numbers tell me that I have a long way to go before I can make that happen.

So why do I do this… podcasting I mean? If I am not making a living at it then it must be a hobby. I know that for the most part people around me just doesn’t get it. However, my brother is my biggest supporter and he reminds me that I am doing good work. The listeners tell me that they love the show and can’t wait to see what I do next. People I don’t even know send me their stories to take care of and share with the world. You have no idea how that makes me feel when I get a good story from someone out there.

In the end, it is because of you that I do this. I don’t want to let you down. I have to put out the best podcast I can for you to hear. You make it worth the effort. I will continue paying my dues and hope that one day Ron’s Amazing Stories goes viral.

Thank you for listening to the show it is pleasure to be your host.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast:

On the podcast this week, Clarissa from Utah reads her short story live. She is only 14 years old. Also, we have a classic science fiction story from the 1930’s and another installment of, “Johnny, is it true?” You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Sunday Night at 8:00 PM (PST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

I am working on making Ron’s Amazing Stories the best podcast it can be. Another way you can help me do that is to take a survey from Podtrac. Podtrac is a free service that helps podcasters to look at the number of downloads we receive and understand our demographic.

This free web-based survey has been expertly developed and analyzed by the audience research professionals at Podtrac, Mediamark Inc. (MRI), and Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). TNS is the largest custom research organization in the world. MRI is the country’s leading provider of magazine audience and multimedia research data for publishers, agencies, and advertisers.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will help me to better understand you.

This Week’s Podcast:

On the podcast this week there will be sled dogs, mysteries, science fiction scary stuff, stuff to make think, and even a famous speech. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer radio? We are heard every Saturday night at 6:00 pm (EST). Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

Okay, the title of this blog really doesn’t have anything to do with the content other than next week is Christmas! It is my hope that you and your families have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will see you all back, bright eyed and bushy tailed, in January 2018.

On the podcast this week we will have a normal show consisting of stories ranging from a somber Gunsmoke, a listener’s tale about a rogue baby monitor and more. Christmas week we will have the old-time radio classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and much of the original movie cast. It well worth listening to and has become a tradition here at Ron’s Amazing Stories.

Best wishes to you!

-Ron

Please Note: You can listen to these podcasts at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Saturday night at 6pm(EST). Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

When I first got into podcasting I brought Jim Harold on the show to talk about old time radio. I did not know at the time that he was a big of a fan of it as I was. This lead to a seven-year-old tradition called, Old Time Horror, and I have to say that I hope it goes on forever. Jim and I both are old souls living at the wrong time. I honestly believe that had we been around in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s we both would have been in the radio business.

So, with that said you will find below the entire Old Time Horror collection starting with 2011 onto the most current one which aired in 2017. I hope you enjoy this blog and return to it often because these are among my favorite shows that I have done.

Thank You, Jim!

-Ron

BTW: Jim has appeared on many other shows through the years on Ron’s Amazing Stories. You can find those by going to the main website and searching for Jim Harold.

Old Time Horror

With Jim Harold

Old time Horror I – First aired on October 12, 2011 – This week Jim Harold makes an appearance on the podcast to talk about his appreciation for Old Time Radio and how he became interested in it. Also, Jim will be picking one of his favorite episodes from the golden age of radio and we will play it right on the spot.

Old time Horror II – First aired on October 30, 2012 – On today’s program, we are going to talk about what scares us and horror in general. Also, we have a great old time radio episode from The Inner Sanctum. This popular show ran from 1941 to 1952 and was created by producer, writer, and director Himan Brown.

Old time Horror III – First aired on October 22, 2013 – On the show this week we have the third annual Old Time Horror. Yep, time again for a long time friend of the program to make his annual pilgrimage to Ron’s Amazing Stories.

Old time Horror IV – First aired on October 31, 2014 – It is time again for a long time friend of the program to make his annual pilgrimage to Ron’s Amazing Stories. Jim Harold makes his fourth appearance on the show and this time just might be his best. We throw out the rule book for this one and meet in an old graveyard to talk about his latest book: Jim Harold’s True Ghost Stories Campfire.

Old time Horror V – First aired on October 29, 2015 – In this podcast, Jim Harold is here for the fifth annual Old Time Horror. Jim will tell us about his new book, True Ghost Stories: Jim Harold’s Campfire. Also, learn we’ll about the cat that makes no sense and Jim’s views on 1934 Witches dialects.

Old time Horror VI – First aired on October 27, 2016 – Welcome to Ron’s Amazing Stories. On this episode, we have the finale of the Month of Spooky 2016. Jim Harold has returned for the sixth year in a row to put his brand of spookiness on the show. Now I could tell you more about the show, but would it be more fun if you just experienced for yourself? Just press the play button and enjoy!

Old time Horror VII – First aired on October 5, 2017 – On this episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories, we celebrate our 300th episode. Jim Harold joins us for some fun and discussion. Also, we have one of the scariest old time radio programs ever told in the history of the golden age of radio.

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The RAS Archives

DISCLAIMER: All of the vintage audio used in the podcasts is believed to be in the public domain. The RAS does not own the rights to any of the old time radio used here. If you are the rights holder to any of the shows used here. please notify me immediately via Contact Ron’s Amazing Stories.